Apparatus for automatically controlling reducing valves in gas regulators



Oct. 3, 1939. R c, HUGHES 2,174,515

- APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLING REDUCING VALVES IN (ms REGULATORS Filed Sept. 1, 19:56

1N VENT OR.

PA 1. 7% (I flog/ 5 50.2 MpQa Patented Oct. 3, 1939 UNITED "STATES APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY CON- TROLLING REDUCING VALVES 1N GAS REGULATORS Ralph 0. Hughes, Anderson, ma, assignor to Reynolds Gas Regulator 00., Anderson, 1116., a corporation of Indiana Application September 1, 1936, Serial No. 98,887

This invention relates to a new and improved method and apparatus for automatically controlling a reducing valve in a gas regulator, and especially in the low-pressure type of regulators having a diaphragm which by ,fluid pressure thereon controls the reducing valve, and which regulator is provided with a bleeder device in the upper wall of the diaphragm casing, the device comprising a diaphragm casing whose dia- 9 phragm is especially sensitive to variance in gas pressure thereon which may be due to seepage of gas through the main diaphragm in any material amount. i

It is avpronounced purpose of my invention as still further explained, to utilize such bleeder device on regulators for refrigerator systems which have a pilot light, to direct said gas leaking or seepage from said device to the pilot light or burner flame to be there consumed Such ble'eder device herein described controls the reducing valve in my invention, and seepage in a material amount will close such valve.

Herein I disclose an improved method of protecting against gas seepage in refrigeration systems having a diaphragm, gas reducing valve and a pilot light, comprising bleeding the atmos pheric exposed side of the diaphragm to a region adjacent the pilot light; and automatically shutting the rnain reducing valve consequent upon a 3o leak or seepage of gas through the diaphragm of any material amount, as in case of rupture of said diaphragm.

As an efiicient means of control for the valve in my regulator I provide a bleeder mechanism having a downwardly-projecting, hollow stem externally threaded to seat in a perforated socket connecting with the upper chamber or the regulator, said socket being formed at the-usual vent of the regulator. This bleeder mechanism is itself of the diaphragm type-and will be described in further detail in the body of the specification.

structures above described, and shown in the drawing in which:

Figure l is a side elevation of a refrigerator with parts broken away showing details, including valve with automatic shut-off, when seepage exists and bleeding gas; j re Figure'Z is a diagrammatic view of the burner and gasppipe supply line with the conventional reduction valve but without the shut-oil! control by seepage, and I Figure 3 is a central vertical'section of a lowpressure gas regulator equipped with a bleeder device comprising a diaphragm sensitive to pressure of gas that may have leaked or seeped through the main diaphragm.

Referring to the drawing, I represents the main diaphragm of a gas regulator of the lowpressure type, the same being equipped with blocks 5 and 6 perforated to receive therein and through the central opening of the diaphragm I, the valve stem 1 guided in the partition aperture 8 thus controlling the double valve 9-4!) as per gas pressure on said diaphragm.

Controlled by said valve 940, gas enters the inlet ll of the regulator and passes out at the outlet I2, and thence through the gas pipe Hi to the burner l4 at the refrigerator system, while at the usual vent an internally-threaded socket I5 is provided which is designed to receive therein the lower hollow foot 16 externally threaded to fit neatly and detachably in said socket, the latter communicating with the inner upper chamber iii of the regulator by the passage 57. A control valve 20 having said hollow foot l6 for mounting in the socket l5, as above explained, comprises an apertured diaphragm 2i whose peripheral edges are secured between annular edges of upper and lower shell portions 23 and 24 -screwrthreaded together, an orifice plug-member l9, being provided for insertion in said diaphragm aperture 22 to permit flow from the chamber in the lower portion 23 through said orifice plug member l9.

Integral with the upper'shell portion 24 an inner central down-hanging protuberance 25 is provided having a depression therein over which a slight sheet of leather. 29 is covered for receiving thereon the upper end of said plug member l9, thereby closing the opening through the letter when the plug is raised against such sheet. An upper passage 28 leads outward from said upper shell portion 24, which latter may lead by separate pipe 21 to the burner flame 28, as will be later explained in greater detail.

The double valve- 9-H is operated in the a'pertime 8 of the partition wall by gas pressure effective upon the diaphragm i, to raise the latter by incoming pressure upon the lower surface thereof, and lifting the stem 1 whereby the valve ill will control the gas flow through aperture 8, gas above the diaphragm I being then permitted to flow through the passages ll, the foot it, the oriflee l9, passage 26, a leading'of gas flow from the portion 24 being then. preferably directed through the pipe 21 to the burner flame28, and .there consumed. v

The lower shell 3 of the main casing is separated by the-above mentioned diaphragm i from the upper shell 4 which is provided with the central opening 30 threaded for reception of the screw-threaded adjustable plug 3i between which and an upper screwethreaded end 32 of the said valve stem 1, a frusto-conical spring 33 is positioned for providing a downward pressure upon the diaphragm l, and consequent adjustment of the double valve lfi-S for vertical movement in the said partition aperture 8, responsive to inply desired pressure upon the spring 33 which pressure.

- actu'ates the valve 8-) by the stem 1, while gas pressure upon the diaphragm I will be duly sensitive as required.

In operation, the outlet I2 is connected with the pipe I3 and thence with the burner I4 at a refrigerator having the intended association with-\ the refrigerator system, while the diaphragm valve casing 20 is mounted in proper connection at the more or less conventional vent which will assume the internally-threaded socket form I5 above explained, and the screw plug 3i adjusted to attain suitable pressure upon the coil 33 and thereby proper position of the double valve in the opening 8.

Under these normal operating conditions, the diaphragm 2I is in lowered position, permitting the regulator to breathe through the passages Ill, 26, the opening in the foot I6, and the passage through the orifice member I9.- Now the valve 9 is off its seat and valve Ill controls delivery If under such conditions, seepage of gas occurs through diaphragm I, this gas passes through passage H and thence upward through the several openings above and out through passage 28 and into the pipe TI to the burner 28.

It will however, result that the passage through the plug member [9 will not ordinarily pass the gas as fast as it is relievedthrough passage ii and the opening in the foot I6, so that pressure builds up under diaphragm 2|, causing it to rise, forcing orifice I9 against seat 29, thus closing the opening in said orifice l9. In any case, the desirable consumption of any gas that may escape from the passage 26 into the pipe 21 and thence flows to a point adjacent the flame 28, precludes the great danger of escape of gas into the room from leakage by seepage through the diaphragm.

When a rupture occurs positively in diaphragm I, theescaping gas is relieved through passage I! and through the foot I6. In such case, a building up of pressure under diaphragm 2I will be even more positive and pronounced, and thereby closing the opening in the orifice I9. An equalization of pressure on both sides of diaphragm I, will, by the weights 5 and 6 and the spring tension, force valve 9 against its seat, and'thereby shutting off the flow of gas through the partition opening 8. It is to be understood that with the valve 2 used in the gas connections shown in Fig. 2, any seepage of gas through the diaphragm I will direct such gas to the flame 28, as in the system in the other two views, but total closure of the valve 9-H) by fracture of the diaphragm is not automatically accomplished in this form of improvement.

By the rapid gas flow through the diaphragm I due to rupture in the latter, which is possible,

the rise of the orifice I9 will'result and its opening will be closed by pressure against the seat '29, so that the spring 33 would press the valve 9 car'- ried by the stem I, against the seat over the opening 8, and close the valve. The regulator is provided with a lower and central plug 36 for ready repair, and a lock nut 31 is applied on the plug 3|, as needed.

Having thus described-my invention in terms an enclosure for the last named side of the diaphragm and forming a chamber between the diaphragm and side enclosure, a conduit communieating with said chamber and terminating at a point adjacent the flame of the burner, whereby said chamber normally will be maintained filled with air at atmospheric pressure and consequent upon inadvertent seepage of gas through said diaphragm into said chamber, such gas will be diverted to the burner and ignited by the flame thereof.

2. The combination of a gas burner, a gas supply line therefore; a pressure regulator in said line arranged and adapted to maintain an even pressure on the gas supply to said burner, and having a pressure responsive diaphragm, one side of which is exposed to gas pressure, and the other side of which is exposed to the atmosphere, an enclosure for thelast named side of the oilaphragm and forming a chamber between the diaphragm and said enclosure, a restricted conduit communicating with said chamber and terminating at a point adjacent the flame of the burner, whereby said chamber normally will be maintained filled with air at atmospheric pressure, and when consequent upon inadvertent seepage of gas through said diaphragm into said chamber, such gas will be diverted to the burner and ignited by the flame thereof, and a valve disposed in said conduit and arranged and adapted to automatically close said conduit consequent upon the presence of an excess pressure in said chamber, whereby consequent upon a rupture of said diaphragm the gas will close said conduit and prevent the waste of the gas.

3. The combination with a gas burner and a pressure regulator having a pressure-responsive diaphragm one side of which is exposed to gas pressure and the other side of which is exposed to atmospheric pressure, of an apparatus for protection against damages resulting from seepage of gas through the diaphragm, said apparatus comprising an enclosure for the atmospheric side of the diaphragm and a conduit communicating with the enclosure and open to atmosphere at a point adjacent the flame of the burner.

4. The combination with a gas burner and a pressure regulator having a pressure responsive diaphragm one side of which, is exposed to atmospheric pressure, .of an apparatus for protection against damage resulting fromseepage of gas through the diaphragm, comprising an enclosure for the atmospheric side of the diaphragm and a conduit communicating with the enclosure and open to atmosphere at a point adjacent the flame of the burner, and a valve in said conduit RALPH c. HUGHES, 

